JCC Can Order Employer to Continue Authorization for Doctor, but Cannot Compel Payment

A divided 1st District Court of Appeal of Florida on Thursday ruled that an employer cannot unilaterally deauthorize a worker’s treating physician just because the doctor has raised his rates, but a judge of compensation claims cannot compel the employer to provide advance payment. While dissenting Judge James Wolf insisted there was nothing wrong with the JCC’s statement that Marine Max Inc. had to “authorize and pay” Dr. Jonathan Yunis to provide treatment to Charles Blair, a majority of the panel said the JCC’s order impermissibly compelled the employer to pro...